Swimming Pool in Buk-myeon with Midge Larvae to Resume Operation on the 12th

Changwon Facilities Corporation: "No Safety Issues at Swimming Pool Due to External Adult Insect Influx"

Jung Cheol-young, Acting Director of Changwon Facilities Corporation in Gyeongnam, is making a statement regarding the larvae incident that occurred at the swimming pool of Gamgye Welfare Center in Buk-myeon. / Photo by Lee Se-ryeong ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam concluded that the larvae discovered last month in Buk-myeon were introduced from outside.

According to Acting Director Jeong Cheol-yeong of Changwon Facilities Corporation on the 11th, the larvae were midge larvae, which entered through the swimming pool entrance, windows, or internal water management facilities of the swimming pool, where the adult insects laid eggs.

The Facilities Corporation, focusing on the cause of larvae occurrence inside the swimming pool based on the joint epidemiological investigation results conducted on September 23 by four organizations including Gyeongnam Province, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, and Korea Water Resources Corporation, launched a public-private joint TF from the 28th of the same month.

After three on-site inspections, it was determined that adult insects entered through the swimming pool entrance, windows, and internal water management facilities, and laid eggs.

Following the advice of the public-private joint TF, the Facilities Corporation took measures including ▲ complete replacement of filtration materials such as activated carbon, sand, and gravel ▲ installation of filtration filters to block larvae and valves for larvae inspection confirmation ▲ closure of holes in the balance tank ▲ cleaning and disinfection of the collection well ▲ installation of air curtains at swimming pool entrances ▲ replacement of fine insect screens on windows inside all swimming pools under the corporation ▲ installation of light traps.

Acting Director Jeong emphasized, “We will supplement the water quality management manual to establish a prompt and accurate response system and build a continuous larvae monitoring system,” adding, “We will conduct monthly larvae inspections and supplement water quality inspection items.”

He also promised to implement larvae prevention measures such as cross-inspection of swimming pool facilities by the citizen monitoring group, installation of air curtains at entrances of all swimming pools under the corporation, shortening the activated carbon replacement cycle from four years to two years, and changing the backwash cycle from twice a week to twice every two days.

Audits of the center staff who were criticized for delayed reporting are underway, and the reporting system will be simplified.

“In the future, if larvae occur in the pool, temporary closure measures will be taken immediately, and reports will be made promptly to the mayor and headquarters director without going through separate procedures for quick response,” he added.

The Gamgye Welfare Center swimming pool, which had been closed due to the larvae discovery incident, will reopen from the 12th.

Acting Director Jeong said, “After the closure, special disinfection and sterilization were carried out on the swimming pool water, water level control plates, and water tanks at Gamgye Welfare Center,” adding, “In addition to multiple disinfections inside and outside the center, intensive disinfection of nearby streams was conducted with the cooperation of Changwon Health Center.”

He stated that water was filled in the swimming pool from the 3rd, six equipment test runs were conducted until the 11th, and larvae filter samples were collected on the 4th and sent for larvae inspection.

He announced the reopening of the swimming pool after 20 days, saying, “No larvae were found in the larvae inspection requested from Changwon Water Quality Research Center on the 5th, and the swimming pool water quality inspection requested from Dongjin Life Research Institute was also deemed suitable.”

Acting Director Jeong apologized, saying, “We are sorry for causing concern to citizens including center users due to inadequate swimming pool management,” and added, “We will create a swimming pool that anyone can use with confidence through thorough larvae prevention measures.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.